A record-breaking 72,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2017, according to preliminary estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most of those deaths were related to opioids. The Mayo Clinic National Health Checkup, which was released in October, found that nearly all Americans say they would choose an alternative to opioid pain relievers following surgery. But, despite the fear of addiction, only 25 percent of patients talked to their health care provider about alternative ways to manage pain.

On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Dr. Halena Gazelka, chair of Mayo Clinic's Opioid Stewardship Program, will explain the survey results and share how Mayo Clinic is taking steps to combat the opioid crisis. Also on the program, Dr. Stacey Rizza, an infectious diseases specialist at Mayo Clinic, will discuss the recent rise in sexually transmitted infections. And Dr. Courtney Bennett, a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic, will explain gender discrepancies when it comes to treating heart attacks.